RCom to move TDSAT

Trouble on either side of the spectrum

Telecom major Reliance Communications (RCom) is planning to move the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT), alleging that the GSM operators are hoarding over 52 MHz of excess spectrum free-of-cost.

Moreover, the allocation of these spectrum is beyond the eligibility of these GSM players.

The company is seeking re-farming of the excess spectrum that could be allocated to the new entrants, while RCom also wants the GSM operators charged for excess spectrum, according to sources close to the development.

This follows an earlier letter by the company to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), in which it had accused the GSM operators of hoarding premium spectrum in 900 MHz.

RCom Chairman Anil Ambani had also written to the Prime Minister stating that Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Essar among others were hoarding spectrum beyond their entitlement.

When contacted a Reliance Communications spokesperson declined to comment. Rcom is also wants the GSM operators to pay for the excess spectrum till the date of return and issuance of only up to 4.4 MHz in the premium 900 MHz band.

It also stated that the Department of Telecommunications has "in-principally" accepted the Telecom Engineering Centre's subscriber norms on October 30, 2007. The company wants these norms to be enforced on GSM operators.

Anil Ambani, in his presentation to the DoT Committee, had also stated that spectral efficient techniques and in-building solutions should be installed, that would help in achieving significantly higher spectrum efficiency.